BSA 650 twin dirt track racer & Dick Mann – Louisville KY 1971 - motorcycle race

Description

A superb and rare photo of the absolutely magnificent and amazing
Dick Mann
with his
BSA 650 twin dirttrack racerRocket 3 factory racer
, photographed during the
1971 Louisville (Kentucky) dirttrack races.
It would be a great year for
Dick
Mann
, as that year he not only won the Daytona 200, but he also got ellected as AMA's Most Popular Driver of the Year! His bike was prepared by
Doug
Hele
and
Bert
Hopwood
, yet another couple of most famous names of the British motorcycle industry.
The BSA A65 model twins were made in a variety of models, the BSA Thunderbolt , the BSA Lightning and the BSA Spitfire being the most well known models.
Dick Mann
, nicknamed “
Buggs
”, was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is a two-time American Motorcycle Association Grand National champion and was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1993, and the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998. He is one of the few riders to race on dirt flat tracks, motocross, and road racing. Mann was the second most victorious rider in AMA Grand National Series' history with 24 national victories. His career on the pro circuit spanned the early 1950s to the mid-'70s. Dick Mann rode his first motorcycle as a teenager when he delivered papers on a Cushman scooter in Richmond, California. He learned how to ride dirt competitively on a cinder running track at the area schools. He would also ride on the cow trails in the area, experiences that would later help him in motocross. After high school, he started helping at fellow Motocycle Hall of Famer Hap Alzina's BSA shop in Oakland as a mechanic. In the summer of 1954 he started touring as an amateur with professional Al Gunter. Mann turned expert in 1955, and finished seventh on a Harley Davidson in his first Grand National race, the Daytona 200. At this time it was competed on the Daytona Beach Road Course. He slowly made a name for himself in his first three years, and he finished in the top ten in the season points for the first time in 1957. He had second place finished at the Daytona 200 and Laconia in 1958. He had his first national victory at the Peoria, Illinois Tourist Trophy (TT) in 1959. He finished second in points in that year.In 1963 Mann won his first AMA Grand National title. He had five podium finishes. He clinched the title by winning on September 21 Ascot Park in Gardena, California.He continued to win races and place high in the points standings before his next title eight years later. He also helped pioneer motocross during that time, and raced in several motocross races in the 1960s and early 1970s. He represented the United States in the Trans-Atlantic Match Races. The series faced little-known American racers against Great Britain's well-known pavement riders. Mann started the decade with one the biggest wins of his career. He won the 1970 Daytona
200, a
race that he had not won in fifteen attempts. Mann beat former world champion Mike Hailwood, and rising stars Gene Romero and Gary Nixon. It was the first win by Honda in an AMA national, and it happened at the series' premiere event. In 1971 Mann won his second Grand National title on a BSA. He became the oldest series champion in the history of the series. He won the 1971 season opener at the Houston TT.
He won his second Daytona
200 in
the second race of the season (SEE PHOTO!).
Mann also won road races at Pocono Raceway and Kent, Washington. He was named AMA's Most Popular Driver of the Year in 1971. Mann became the first rider to win motorcycle racing's career Grand Slam by winning in Grand National on mile, half mile, TT, and road racing circuits. Mann won races in 1972. His final win as at Peoria, the site of his first win. He was competitive in 1973, and finished in the Top
10 in
points at age 40. Mann retired in 1974. He had raced in 240 nationals, and he finished in the Top
10 in
points in every season except one between 1957 and
1973. In
1975 Mann returned to his trail riding roots. He competed on the United States International Six Days Trial team (now the International Six Days Enduro) on the Isle of Man, earning a third place finish. Mann was awarded the AMA Dud Perkins Award for his contributions to the sport in 1995. He was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1993. He was still competing in vintage racing when he was inducted in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998. The Motorcycle Hall of Fame opened an exhibit honoring Mann's career on July 27, 2006. The exhibit is called "SuperMann". Over 400 people came to see the opening. Currently, Dick Mann owns a business specializing in restoring and selling vintage race motorcycles. He also continues to actively participate in American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) Vintage Moto-Cross racing.
In many ways this is a very historic
non period
photo that reflects a most historic racing victory by BSA and Dick Mann. It definitely is a classic shot. It is rare to obtain a photo like this, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of approx. 8" x 12" (20 x
30 cm
). It is great the way it is, and would look gorgeous when framed.
Check out our auctions or contact us for more BSA , BSA Lightning , BSAand other motorcycle (racing) photos!
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(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files
and board backed envelopes.
We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.
After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
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